Why do you think that high "premium" ticket prices are going to make any difference to the average theater goer? Grey Gardens has seats that cost well over $200, but I've still seen it twice for less than $100 total. Even Pirate Queen had "premium" seats.
If YF gets raves and sells well the production will make a mint on those premium seats instead of scalpers. If things don't go so well then premium seats will be "on sale" at 50% off or even at regular price.
This is just basic marketing, starting off with a high price that you can give deals on if needed.
The title of the show and the Brooks history with the Producers will appeal to modern America.
"Hey, that guy wrote the Producers and that was a hit."
"You're right, let's see it!"
Broadway Star Joined: 5/24/06
I agree that the title would attract even to people who haven't seen the movie.
They'll quickly pass up "Gray Gardens" or "Xanadu"
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
I agree, and I don't think YF will be anywhere near the success of The Producers. I'll be there no matter what. I totally adore Sutton Foster. I'd love to see Megan Mullaly (sp?) as well, and I like Mel Brook's humor, but then that's just me.
We'll soon see. Give it a few weeks after July 15 (1st day of sale) and wait it out for discounts.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
"Young Frankenstein" is a much bigger title than "The Producers".
The original "Producers" film was a flop that became a cult favorite. "Young Frankenstein" was a HUGE hit movie.
I agree with Jon. YF was one of his biggest successes on film. THe baby boomers (the majority of ticket buys/subscription holders) are the target audience. Just the title will have them showing up in droves. I don't think they will have a problem keeping the show open. I, for one, am dying to see it. Just like I was for The Producers.
I just watched the movie and found it very funny...
To those who think this will automatically be a wild success because of the talent associated with it and the pedigree of the film, I have only one word, folks.
Footloose.
Brooks is also avoiding casting huge names in the show because of what happened with THE PRODUCERS.
Everyone wanted to see Nathan and Matthew and the ticket sales dropped considerably after they left. Only when they came back did sales pick up again.
By casting lesser known names, people will want to see the show for the show and not for the two leads. That way, no matter who you bring in, the show sells.
And the names in this show aren't exactly small.
The movie is a huge hit.
The show will do well.
It would do well even if there wasn't a "name" in the entire cast. The name "YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN" is big enough. People who aren't all that familiar with Broadway will know what YF is and buy a ticket to go see it.
The chances of this flopping are low...even if the show is bad. Which it probably won't be.
To the person who mentioned Footloose
You do realize that Footloose ran for over 700 performances
Is a massive hit around the world
Had a very well received West End Run and is due back in London this year after its THIRD Smash hit UK tour
Was Tony Nominated and won a few awards in the UK and Europe to
etc etc etc
ohhh dear did someone not get a call back?????????????
Look at Spamalot, shows like this are built with a large fan base. As has been said before YF has a MUCH larger fan base than the producers ever did. So he is banking on the name of the movie to sell tickets.
Will I pay 500 for a ticket? No way but there is a reason for it.
Slightly off topic, I wouldn't say that The Producers movie was a flop, it did win Mel Brooks his Oscar.
Am I the only one who, when I first looked over this, thought it was about Frank in Merrily We Roll Along? In the original production, one actor played 40 year old Franklin Shepard in one scene and another played him in the rest of the show... so I thought that was "Young Frank".
I guess it's also because I usually see things related to Merrily and "mistake" in the same thread...
I wanna hear the demos, where did you get them?
"Brooks is also avoiding casting huge names in the show because of what happened with THE PRODUCERS.
Everyone wanted to see Nathan and Matthew and the ticket sales dropped considerably after they left. Only when they came back did sales pick up again.
By casting lesser known names, people will want to see the show for the show and not for the two leads. That way, no matter who you bring in, the show sells."
I think this is the cure for Broadway. Shows shouldn't have to have big names they should be good because the material is good.
>> You do realize that Footloose ran for over 700 performances
Is a massive hit around the world
Had a very well received West End Run and is due back in London this year after its THIRD Smash hit UK tour
Was Tony Nominated and won a few awards in the UK and Europe to
etc etc etc
And is also one of the *worst* stage adaptations of a hit film ever mounted.
Your point?
I don't think YF is gonna flop for the simple fact that the fanbase for the movie is HUGE and with Mel Brooks' name added, it' sure to attract tons of people. Tourists will come just because of the name recognition, and theatre people will come because the cast is outstanding.
sean nmartin erm my point is that the name obviously sold that show
I'm sorry folks, I'm still in a daze from the comment that the show's going to flop - regardless of everyone's reasoning as to why it won't flop, the simple fact is - THE SHOW HASN'T HAD OPENED YET!! To even suggest the show will fail is as everyone else has said PURE speculation and perhaps to the point of having a hidden agenda. No matter what happens, I wish YF the best.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
I'd like to echo basically everyone else's thought by saying let the show open first or to hear/see about ticket sales first before making judgements.
Besides, again like alot of people said, Young Frankenstein has a bigger fan following than The Producers did and it's going to be name dependent for it's sales unlike The Producers that was basically cast dependent with Lane and Broderick.
There's no way it's going to flop but there is going to be bad blood and hard feelings when families or regular tri-state area people gather in the box office and find out the prices. The "affordable" seats up in nose bleed territory are going to go fast and quick and probably be sold at least a year. Plus there is no standing room and if there were, I'm sure old Mel would charge $50 at least, for the honor of standing.
Amoni's right. It is not going to flop, just ruffle some feathers.
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
Flop or not flop- that is the issue with EVERY Brodway show. There is NO such thing as a sure thing. HOWEVER-- if I had money to invest (and Mel was accepting investors) THIS is the show I'd invest in:
1) Solid track record of Producer/composer/Writer/Director. The last show by this team made mountains of money.
2) Young Frankenstein has a built in following-- a movie MUCH more popular than Producers or Holy Grail.
3) The cast has won more Tony Awards than Hal Prince combined. Or something like that. You can dismiss whoever you want, but there are a LOT of people who would pay to see this cast in anything.
And yes, there will be haters who want it to fail. But that is just another sign that this show is going to be a monster (pun intended).
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